BANGKOK, Dec 11 – The eight-day blockade by anti-government protesters shut down the capital's two airports last month, cutting much of the country's contact with the wider world, causing losses exceeding Bt500 million (over US $14 million) to Airports of Thailand (AoT), acting AoT president Serirat Prasutanont said on Thursday.
The AoT chief said that airport officials will file lawsuits against protesters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and related parties.
Mr. Serirat, who also serves as director of Suvarnabhumi international airport, said the siege at the two metropolitan airports — Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang domestic airport — which ended on December 3 had also led to losses of revenue at airports in other provinces.
He said initial estimates of losses which were more than Bt500 million, excluding losses inflicted on businesses and the incalculable negative impact on travellers' confidence which could affect Thailand for years to come.
AoT executives will discuss with legal experts and the Attorney General's Office on estimating the total loss and would file lawsuits against the protesters before the end of January 2009, said Mr. Serirat.
Meanwhile, Wing Commander Prateep Wichittoe, deputy director of Suvarnabhumi international airport, said the average daily flow of passengers had fallen 44.26 per cent to 55,737 persons since the airport had resumed full service on December 5.
Cargo transport at the airport also declined to an average of 2,395 tonnes daily from 3,365 tonnes, said Wing Cdr. Prateep.
Average daily departure and arrival flights at Suvarnabhumi international airport also fell to 496 from the 714 registered before it was shut down by the protesters, he said.
